Requirements
for Social Work Licensure and Examination
Purpose
of Licensure:
To set standards of qualifications, education, training and experience
for the practice of Social Work. To promote high standards of professional
performance for persons in the practice of social work. To assure
that everyone in the practice of social work is licensed and adhere
to the established uniformed and coordinated procedures.
Period
of Licensure:
All permanent licenses are issued on an annual basis. Temporary
Licenses are issued for six (6) months. Applicants are granted the
initial temporary license and one temporary license renewal, after
which applicant must successfully complete the social worker's examination
to be duly licensed in the Virgin Islands.
Application
Process:
Initial Application Requires:
- Completed
and notarized application;
- Official
college transcript identifying courses and degrees in the field
of social work;
- Two professional
references as to the applicant's current occupational level
and to applicant's experience in the social work field;
- One character
reference;
- Three
(3) 2x2 passport size photos of applicant;
- Favorable tax clearance letter from
the V.I. Bureau of Internal Revenue;
- Payment
of Required Fees.
Examination:
Any person applying to become a Social Worker is required to take
an examination. The examination is available via computer year round.
All levels of examinations must be approved by the Board. The Intermediate,
Clinical, and Advance Examinations are only administered to persons
holding a Master's of Social Work Degree or higher from an accredited,
board approved college or university.
Temporary
Licenses:
A temporary license is issued to an applicant who wants to work
prior to taking the required examination. All temporary licenses
are at the same levels of licensure. Temporary licenses are issued
for a period of six (6) months. Applicant's are granted an initial
temporary license and one renewal of the temporary license.
Renewal
of License Requires:
- A completed
social work renewal application;
- Completed
back copy of license;
- Payment
of Required Fees.
- Evidence
that the Licensee has completed a minimum of two (2) units of
continuing education since previous issuance of license.
- Favorable tax clearance letter from
the V.I. Bureau of Internal Revenue;
Levels
of Licensure:
Social Worker Associate: Applicant must have a baccalaureate
degree in a non-Social Work field or an associate of arts degree
in the Human Services from a junior college, college or university
approved by the Board.
Social Worker: Applicant must have a baccalaureate degree
in Social Work or Social Welfare Program from a college or university
approved by the Board or a baccalaureate degree in another field
with two years of experience in a social work capacity.
Certified Social Worker: Applicant must have a doctorate
or master's degree from a school of social work accredited by the
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and approved by the Board.
Certified Independent Social Worker: Applicant must have
a doctorate or master's degree from a school of social work accredited
by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) and approved by the
board. Additionally, applicant must have practiced for two years
under appropriate supervision in the field of specialization in
which the applicant will practice.
ALL APPLICANTS FOR ALL LEVELS OF LICENSURE MUST SATISFACTORILY PROVE
TO THE BOARD THAT HE/SHE IS A PERSON WHO MERITS THE PUBLIC TRUST.
Required
Fees:
| Application
Fee |
$25.00 |
| Temporary
Licenses |
$20.00 |
| Social
Worker Associate |
$35.00 |
| Social
Worker |
$35.00 |
| Certified
Social Worker |
$50.00 |
| Certified
Independent Social Worker |
$75.00 |
Mailing
Addresses:
Attention: Lisa Davis
Administrator, Boards and Commissions
V.I. Board of Social Workers
Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs
Golden Rock Shopping Center, Christiansted
St. Croix, VI 00822
|
Golden
Rock Shopping Cntr
Administrative Complex
Prop. & Procurement Bldg.